Adrenal insufficiency (patient information)
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What is adrenal insufficiency?
How do I know if I have adrenal insufficiency and what are the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?
The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually. Usual symptoms include:
- Chronic, worsening fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hypotension
- Hypoglycemia
- Headache
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for adrenal insufficiency?
- Genetic defects of adrenal gland
- Underactive parathyroid glands
- Pernicious anemia
- Chronic fungal infections
- Chronic active hepatitis
- Diabetes
- Vitiligo
- Tuberculosis
- Amyloidosis
- AIDS
- Cancer
How to know you have adrenal insufficiency?
When to seek urgent medical care?
The urgent, severe worsening symptoms adrenal insufficiency is called an addisonian crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency. It is fetal and needs urgent medical care. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
- Sudden, penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Hypotension
- Loss of consciousness
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for adrenal insufficiency?
Directions to Hospitals Treating adrenal insufficiency
Prevention of adrenal insufficiency
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/294/19/2528.pdf